IRGC Launches Bombing Campaign Against Kuwait and Bahrain

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) of Iran announced on Wednesday that it has initiated what it describes as an extensive bombing campaign targeting Kuwait and Bahrain, specifically claiming to hit 85 alleged U.S. military sites.

This announcement follows previous Iranian attacks on ships in the Strait of Hormuz, notably those associated with Qatar and Saudi Arabia. In response, the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) has ramped up its own airstrikes against Iranian infrastructure to safeguard navigation in the Strait. The IRGC justified its bombings of Kuwait and Bahrain as a reaction to these U.S. actions.

A statement from the IRGC, disseminated via the Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA), detailed that a combined missile and drone strike occurred, targeting key U.S. military locations in Bahrain’s Salman Port and the Ali Al Salem Air Base in Kuwait. IRNA characterized the operation as a success, declaring that an American MQ-9 drone was downed in correlation with the CENTCOM strikes. So far, the U.S. has refrained from confirming any substantial damage, while the nations affected condemned the attacks for jeopardizing civilian safety.

Following the bombings, the Iranian Army’s Khatam al-Anbiya Operational Headquarters released a statement, seemingly threatening further strikes against any country aiding the U.S. military. It articulated that support for U.S. military endeavors would render the source a legitimate target for attacks.

Kuwait’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned the action, categorizing it as a “heinous Iranian invasion” that directly threatens its sovereignty and security. It emphasized that such aggression undermines ongoing regional efforts aimed at reducing tensions.

In a similar vein, Kuwait decried the assault on Bahrain, reinforcing its solidarity with the nation and denouncing the invasion by Iran.

Hostilities intensified between Iran and the U.S. earlier this year, culminating in President Trump’s launch of Operation Epic Fury aimed at overthrowing Iran’s Ayatollah Khamenei. A temporary ceasefire allowed for some diplomatic dialogue, yet that fragile peace was seemingly shattered by Iran’s recent actions, including bombings of three ships, which triggered U.S. retaliatory strikes.

CENTCOM stated that these strikes were intended to impose severe repercussions on Iran for its aggression against commercial vessels. Meanwhile, Bahrain joined the U.S. in condemning the Iranian attacks, labeling them dangerous and unacceptable, particularly given their implications for international navigation safety.

During the ongoing NATO summit in Turkey, President Trump declared that the Memorandum of Understanding with Iran is now void due to Tehran’s violations. His remarks included strong language aimed at Iranian officials, branding them untrustworthy and corrupt.